Message from Congressman Scott Fitzgerald

Good morning, everyone!

Thousands of Wisconsinites and Americans across the nation are experiencing flight delays due to the Left's government shutdown. Air traffic controllers, TSA agents, and federal law enforcement officers are not getting the paychecks they deserve even as they work to keep us safe.

This shutdown was completely avoidable. Back in September, I joined my House Republican colleagues to pass a clean funding bill to keep the government open. That bill has proceeded to the Senate where there is a 60-vote threshold, and Republicans control just 53 seats. Senate Democrats have voted against the Republican clean CR 14 times.

Now, over half of all flight delays are caused by staffing shortages, and as this shutdown drags on, travelers are facing widespread delays, cancellations, and airport disruptions. Last week, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced that the FAA will reduce flight capacity by 10% in 40 major markets nationwide until the government shutdown ends.

Wisconsinites should not have to bear the brunt of the Left's partisan games. It is beyond time to reopen the government.

As a friendly reminder, my team and I are here to help. Both my Oconomowoc and Washington, D.C. offices remain fully open during the government shutdown. Please don't hesitate to reach out or visit my website if you have any questions or need assistance with a federal agency.

Keep reading on to hear additional updates about what's been happening in Washington and Wisconsin. I hope you have a great week.

-Scott

SBA Has Extended the Deadline to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Wisconsin residents, businesses, and private nonprofits affected by the August severe storms now have more time to apply for SBA disaster assistance. 

The SBA has extended the deadline for physical damage loan applications to
November 12, 2025. 

Eligible for both physical damage and EIDL loans: Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha.

 Eligible for EIDL loans only: Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, and Walworth. 

To apply online, click here.

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald: Democrats Created the Obamacare Cliff and Now They’re Crying Foul

Let’s be clear about what’s really happening. The government is shut down because Democrats are demanding billions of new taxpayer dollars to prop up the failed system of Obamacare and because they want to reinstate taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens. They’re using this false “premium hike” story as an excuse to keep the government closed because Republicans in Washington are doing exactly what the American people elected us to do.

The facts are simple: those COVID-era subsidies were always temporary. Democrats voted to include the sunset THEMSELVES when they passed the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 with all Democrat votes. Those subsidies kept costs artificially low, and now prices are simply returning to where they would have been without that short-term, taxpayer-funded boost.

I’m open to a real conversation about reforming our healthcare system and lowering costs, but that has to start with serious, structural changes to the existing system. We can’t keep writing blank checks for a program that’s heavily subsidized and keeps costs high.

Wisconsin families deserve facts, not fear. The Democrats’ political blame game doesn’t make healthcare more affordable, especially when it’s their failed healthcare system causing the problems in the first place.

Read my op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Social Media Highlight

That wraps the updates from this edition of my eNewsletter. Thanks for reading along!  

-Scott

That's a wrap for this week's eNewsletter! Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to stay up to date on my work for the 5th District of Wisconsin.

Sincerely,

Scott Fitzgerald
Member of Congress